Soldier To Face Disciplinary Action Over Murder Of Ondo Driver

The 32 Artillery Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army has vowed to expedite the disciplinary action against an officer attached to the division following an altercation with a commercial bus driver heading to Abuja from Akure, an incident which led to the death of the driver.

According to a Thursday statement signed by Major Njoka Irabor, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations 32 Artillery Brigade 16 October 2025, the incident occurred on Sunday, when the late commercial bus driver, who was heading to Abuja from Akure, had mechanical issues with his vehicle close to the military checkpoint at Akunu in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The statement revealed that the altercation began when the soldier was called to intervene in the brewing challenge as the passengers requested a refund of their transport fare from the driver.

The statement reads, “Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade Nigerian Army has vowed to expedite action in the ongoing disciplinary action against a soldier who was involved in the unfortunate death of a commercial bus driver at Akunu. The incident occurred on Sunday, 13 October 2025, when the late commercial bus driver, who was heading to Abuja from Akure, had mechanical issues with his vehicle close to the military checkpoint at Akunu in Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

“Unfortunately, passengers in the vehicle started requesting for refund of their transport fare. Subsequently, a passenger reached out to a soldier deployed at Akunu checkpoint to help the passengers retrieve their money from the driver.”

The headquarters condemned the actions of the soldier, stating, “the soldier showed up and displayed very uncouth and unprofessional conduct, resulting in an altercation with the driver, which led to physical contact between the soldier and the driver. The soldier exhibited an act that is contrary to the Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct guiding his deployment at the checkpoint.”

According to the statement, ” Immediately, Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade got wind of the incident, they quickly evacuated the driver to a medical facility and took responsibility of the medical expenses and also assigned an officer to be with the driver throughout the period he was been managed at Akoko and referred to Ondo State Specialist hospital Akure, and thereafter referred to Federal Medical Centre Owo, where he sadly passed-on on Monday 14 October 2025.”

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to social justice, saying, “as a reputable organisation anchored on discipline wish to express our deepest sympathy and reassure our unwavering commitment to the family of the deceased and close associates, of speedy dispensation of disciplinary action against the soldier, as the soldier will face the full wrath of the law and the outcome made public.

The statement further revealed that the Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade paid a condolence visit to the family members of the deceased and the leadership of NURTW Ondo State and promised to take care of the burial expenses and other welfare matters to ensure that the vacuum of the demise of the breadwinner of the family does not disrupt the academic pursuit of the children.

The 32 Artillery Brigade in the statement concluded, “We will not shy away from our responsibilities, as the liaison officer for the Nigerian Army is in touch with the family members of the deceased, as burial plans are ongoing. Additionally, the State Government has commended the efforts of the Brigade in resolving the issue amicably and expressed support to prioritise the welfare of the children of the deceased driver.”